Des Moines Man Suspected of Participating in Cockfighting Operation

A Des Moines, Iowa man is in jail after being suspected of taking part in an illegal cockfighting operation.

KSFY TV is reporting that 38-year-old Mariana Martinez Ramirez had over 84 chickens and roosters taken from his home by authorities on Thursday (July 6). Ramirez was arrested and charged with possession of animal contest devices.

According to the KSFY TV, Ramirez was still in custody, pending $5,000 bail. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday (July 17).

The KSFY TV report states that when officers entered Ramirez's home, they discovered roosters that had been physically groomed in a manner consistent with cockfighting.

Authorities do not believe the alleged cockfighting operation was taking place at Ramirez's Des Moines home. It's also unclear how long the alleged cockfighting operation had been going on.